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Don't Panic! There's Always Plan B

Accidents happen—they always do. When an accident happens during sex, though, and your birth control method fails or was unavailable, it can feel like the end of the world.

But it’s not! Emergency Contraception (also known as EC, Plan B or the Morning After Pill) is an FDA-approved method that allows you a second chance at preventing pregnancy when you have had unprotected sex.

Plan B One Step has been FDA approved for use within 72 hours after unprotected sex. However, recent studies have found that emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex. The sooner it’s taken, the better it works.

How does Plan B work?

EC uses artificial hormones, levonorgestrel, which is the same hormone used in many birth control pills—just at a higher dose. The hormone used in EC changes the body’s signals so that pregnancy is prevented by temporarily stopping the release of an egg from a woman’s ovary, or it may prevent fertilization. It may also prevent a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus.

The Morning After Pill is not effective in terminating an existing pregnancy or an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy.

Could I take EC and still become pregnant?

Yes. Emergency Contraception is not 100% effective and you could become pregnant.

Ok, I took the Morning After Pill. How do I know if it worked?

If you get your period, at the expected time or within a week of the expected time, then Plan B has worked. If you are more than 7 (seven) days late for your next period, you may be pregnant. Come back to Northland and take a pregnancy test to be sure.